Fire-alarm signal system.



J. McFELL.

FIRE ALARM SIGNAL SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 22, 1913.

Patented Feb. 8, 1916.

THE coLummA PLANOGRAPH (10., WASI'HNGTON, D. c.

FIRE-ALARM sIe'NAn sYsTEi/i.

To all whom it may concern: Be it known that I, Jonson MoFnLL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fire-Alarm Signal Systems, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in fire alarm signal systems and has for one of its general objects to provide a fire alarm signal system which is simple, reliable, inexpensive, and especially well adapted for use in factories and other places where low cost of initial installation and of maintenance is important.

A special object of my invention is to provide a system wherein simple transmitter boxes may be employed in a correlation which insures the receipt of one complete box-signal, regardless of the number of boxes pulled simultaneously or sequently without use of any special non-interference box construction.

Another object of my invention is to provide for establishment of emergency signaling circuits upon the breakage of either or both wires of the normal circuit, and to arrange such circuits in conjunction with box wiring such that any box may transmit its signal through either the normal or emergency circuit connection without variations of its internal wiring connections.

Also an object of the present invention is to provide for the testing of the emergency circuit established to compensate for the breakage of either line wire.

A further object of my invention is to provide a system wherein the central station appliances are automatically reset to normal conditions after completion of a signaling operation.

Other and further objects of my invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein I have illustrated in Figure 1, diagrammatically, an embodiment of my invention, in Fig. 2 a switch pen detail.

Referring to the particular constructions and arrangementsshown in the drawing as" exemplifications of my invention, the central battery 10, at a central station C, supplies current to a normally closed test circuit, by

Specification of Letters Patent.

which the integrity of the normal main signaling circuit is constantly tested.- The bat Patented Feb. s, 1916."

Application filed December 22, 1913. Serial it 808,070. i

tery wires 11 and 12 are run, (preferably,

though not essentially, in opposite direction with respect to the boxes or transmitters T,"

T and T g) in appropriate fashion so that both line wires are normally electrically continuous, the line Wires 11 and 12 connecting re.

spectively with return wires 13 and 14: which are run back to the centrals'tation and there,

are normally connected with, and inter-connected through, a high-resistance test magnet 15; This general'arrangem'ent provides 21 normal test circuit closed through the test magnet 15 thereby to maintain the system.

under constant test, but the current flow is minimized to save current, the test magnet;

for a circuit employing a 20 volt battery, for instance, being Wound, in practice, to about 2000 ohms resistance or over so that al though the magnet is energized suificiently to hold its armature attracted, the current flow in the main circuit istoo weak to operate any of the other electro-responsive instrumentalities associated with said main circuit; At the central station there are connected in themain circuit a register 16,- an alarm gong 17 parallel therewith, and, preferably, theoperating magnet 18 for an automatic resetting appliance 20, but these electro-responsive parts are not function ally responsive to the Weak current normally flowing through the test circuit.

' Each transmitter T, T, etc, is preferably of the manually-wound, clock-work type and is an open circuit box having signal switch members adapted to bridge the box across the test-circuit when the wheel rotates. Thus each box involves a winding handle 21 and a signal wheel 22 arranged to be driven through several revolutions or rounds when the clock-work mechanism,

(not shown) runs down after being wound by depression of the handle 21. The transg;

mitter is provided with a normally closed line switch 23) operable toopen one battery wire, as wire 12, to' brea'k the normal or test circuit, before the signal wheel commences its operation, and with a wheel controlled normally-open switch 24:, arranged,- when its contacts or pens 25', 26, and 2-7 are closed by a signal wheel tooth, to connect the line and return wires 11 and 13 with both of the opposit-e line-andreturn 'vvires'12 and 14'. To

several boxes of the series, to the return wire 13. The line wire 12, on the other hand, includes within each box the line switch 23, which normally is closed by an arm on the winding handle 21, and which is arranged to open as soon as the winding handle is given its first winding movement. Thus the wire 12, first run to the box T", is connected by internal wiring through pen, 26, line switch 23, and pen 2'? of that box with a connector 12 extending to the box T thence through its line switch 23 to connector 12, and so on to the return wire 14. Thus the normal test circuit depends on the integrity or" the connections through signal switches 23 and the interior wiring of each box may thus be tested, as well as the condition of its pens.

It will be apparent that when any transmitter box is pulled its action is first to open the test circuit between wires 12 and 14, through the openingof the switch 23, and then as the signal wheel rotates each tooth oi"- the wheel 22 closes the switch 24:, establishing connection between the constantly connected lines and return wires 11-13 and both the outgoing wire 12 and the return wire 14.

At the central station the test magnet 15 normally holds up an armature 15 shown as provided with a switch operatingfinger 29 arranged to open a normally closed switch 29 when the armature drops, and said switch 29 is included in series with the magnet 15, so that the magnet-deenergization results in opening of the test circuit at central station. Also the armature 15' is provided with a finger 30 by which it may be raised to attracted position through the operation of the automatic restoring appli ance 20. This automatic restoring appliance preferably comprises a clock-work motor wound for a large number or" cyclic operations and so arranged that the automatic response of its connected devices to the initiation of an alarm signal will release the clockwork train for one cyclic operation and automatically stop the train at th end of a single cycle of operation. The mechanism is so timed that the duration of one of I its cycles of operation is greater at the time taken in transmission of a fire alarm signal sothat said mechanism starting its cycle of tofore referred to.

operation at the time the signal transmission 1s commenced, does not complete its cycle until after the signaling operation is finished, and then, at the end of its cycle of operations, it raised the armature 15 back to normal or attracted position. If, at the time when this automatic raising of the armature occurs, the system has otherwise been restored to normal condition by the cessation of operation of all boxes, and closure of the line-switches 23 of all boxes, this automatic operation completes the entire restoration of the system to normal. The appliances shown are only diagrammatically illustrated, as the mechanical construction of the restoring apparatus 20 may be widely varied, but in the parts schematically shown, 20 is an elevating lever for cooperation with the finger 30 of armature 15, said. lever carried by a rotating gear element driven from a spring actuated train which includes among its parts a controller disk 20 having a notch for engagement by a latch 20 provided by the lever 20 which carries the armature tor the magnet 18 here- Manifestly when the magnet 18, in the main signaling circuit, is energized it raises the latch 20 out 01" the notch in disk 20 freeing the train for one cycle of rotation, and if at the end of that cycle the magnet 18 stands deenergized, as normally it will) the latch 20 will reengage in its notch in the disk 20*, stopping the train of the restoring device. The lever 20 may also control a short circuiting' switch 18 for the magnet 18 so that the resistance of said magnet may be cut out of the signaling circuit when its functional or train releasing operation is completed. The release lever 20 could, of course, be mechanically operated, but in practice I would prefer to actuate the lever 23, for release, by the elec tromagnet 18. Further, to insure that the test circuit will be positively broken whenever a box is pulled, so short circuiting magnet 15 and energizing magnet 18, 1 connect lever 20 with switch 29 by means of lost-motion link 20 which acts to pull switch 29 open whenever armature lever 20 is attracted by magnet 18.

The dropping of armature 15' closes a switch 32 included in a circuit 33 with a test signal bell 34, said circuit being energized by a battery 10 which may be one 01' more cells of the main battery 10, although for diagrammatic simplicity I have separately illustrated it. In this circuit 33 1 prefer that there shall be a normally closed switch 35 arranged to be open by the release lever 20 when the latch 20 of the latter is raised out of its notch in the disk 20. Thus when the armature 15 of the test magnet 15 falls, owing to a break in the test circuit, the bell'Si will begin to ring. If the break is a permanent one, as upon an accidental rupture of a line wire, the bell will continue to ring. If the break is due to the opening of one of the line switches 23 of the transmitter, the first closure of the signaling circuit, energizing magnet 18, and starting the restoring apparatus in operation, will open the circuit 33 for the bell 31 at switch 35 so that the bell stops ringing. Distinctive signals are therefore given by the bell 34 accordingly as the breakage of the line is due to trouble or to regular fire alarm operation. A circuit 33 including buzzer 31 may be closed by switch 35 as long as lever 20 is in train-releasing position, so that should the resetting train run down or stop the continued sounding of the buzzer would apprise the central operator of the fact.

I also provide, in my system, for the establishment of emergency circuits, through which signals may be sent in the event of the accidental breakage of either or both of the line wires. In such arrangement I provide wires 13 and 14; manually connectible from the respective wires 13 and 14 to the battery wires 11 and 12 beyond the central station electro-responsive devices. In the arrangement shown in Fig. 1, switches 37 38, respectively, are provided, each movable from open position (as shown) to a position to connect its wire 13 or 14 with emergency wire 13 or 14.

Either emergency connection 13 or 11 when closed, loops the return end of its circuit wire 13 or 14 backto its line wire 11 or 12 so that potential is thrown on both sides of the break in the line or return wire. This insures that any box may get a metallic. signal circuit either direct or through the emergency connections even if both wires are broken, so that only by breaking the same wire on both sides of a box may itsv signal connections be destroyed beyond central station emergency repair.

In the operation of the system, a test 'circuit is normally established as follows: 10, 16, 11, 25, 11 11 13, 15, 29, 14, pen 27, line switch 23 and pen 26 of the first transmitter T, 12, 12 etc. (including the line switches 23 of the respective transmitters T, T, etc.) 12, 18, 10. The magnet 15 is of such resistance that the electroresponsive devices 16, 17, and 18 associated with said circuit are not functionally operated by the weakcurrent flowing through the test circuit.

When a box, as T is pulled, the handle movement opens the line switch 23. This breaks the line connection for any boxes, as T, more remote from central on the wire 12, and incidentally for high resistance magnet 15, the armature 15 of which drops, opening switch 29 and so putting the test magnet out of circuit until the armature is restored.

Dropping of the armature closes switch 32 for the local hell 3% which begins to ring.

' Also the dropping of armature may me-' 27. Under normal conditions each such closure of the switch 24E establishes the circuit 10, 16, (and 17) 11, 25, 26, (and 27) 12*, through the line switches 23 of several unpulled boxes, to the line wire 12, and back to battery 10. The normal signaling circuit therefore is made through the two line wires 11 and 12, the signal switch 24 being bridged therebetween. The signal is of course recorded on the register 16 and the first'impulse of the signal operates the magnet 18 in the signaling circuit to start the restoring device 20 in operation. When the magnet 18 attracts its armature it closes-the short circuiting switch 18 for the magnet, cutting its resistance out of circuit. The latch 20,

' course main switch 23 is closed at the box T so that when the armature 15 is raised and switch 29 closed, magnet 15 holds its armature up and the circuits and apparatus are back to normal.

If, before, or after, the box T is pulled, one of the other boxes, say box T, is operated to transmit its signal, there will be no interference. The signal of 1 the box T- which is nearer to the central station along the line wire 12 will transmit its complete signal, either without regard to the box T if the'latter be pulled later than the box T orbreaking the signal of the box T and sending only the signal of the box T, if the latter be operated after the box T has begun its. signaling operation. This is true for the reason that when the box T is pulled the line connection for the box T is broken at" the lineswitch 23, between the outgoing line wire 11 and the opposite line wire 12, in consequence box T cannot transmit its signal. At such times as it may happen that a tooth of the box T closes its signaling switch coincidentally with the closure of the signaling switch ofbox T, but these coincident closures produce no effect on the signal of box T VVh'en box T closes its switch at the time when box T? is not closing its signal switch, theclosure of the signal switch 24 in box-T is functi'onless as the circuit is interrupted at the line switch 23 of the box T".

It will be observed that the signal switch ofeach box has, connection-through pen27- with the return wire 14, but under normal operative conditions this wire, during the signaling period has no connection with the register 16.

The emergency circuit connections, 13 i 1.4, described, give to my system the capability of transmitting signals even though one or both of the line wires 11 and 12 be broken, and in the arrangement shown test current flow may be maintained over the emergency circuit. 1

Should a break occur in a line wire-say at X in the wire 11the test magnet 15 will become deenergized. The dropping of the armature will start a ringing of the bell 34,

which will continue until the circuit is repaired or an emergency circuit established. As soon as this break in either line wire occurs the operator at central station may immediately locate the break, as to whether it is in the wire 1l-13 or the wire l21et. This he does by manually raising the armature 15 and momentarily closing the switches 37 and 88. Assuming the break to be in wire 11 at X, so that the armature 15 and magnet 15 is dropped, depression of switch 37 will establish a circuit for magnet 15 by the path 10, 13, 37, 15, 4O, 29, 1 1-, box switches 23, 12, 10. This tested e1nergency circuit is allowed to remain closed, and the inclusion of the magnet 15 therein will cause the test to be maintained upon the wire 121-it. Should a break subse quently occur in this emergency circuit, the fact will be shownby the dropping of the armature of the test magnet. Upon occurrence of such second break in the other wire,

7 the remaining switch 38 is thrown down,

looping wire 14 back to wire 12. When the break is at a point as X in wire 11 the operation of transmitter T to send the firm alarm, will transmit its signal through the emergency circuit 10, 16, 13, 37 (thrown down) 13, 11 11 25, 26, 12 12 12, 1s, 10. If both wires be broken as at X and Y, the signaling circuit for box T will be 10, 16, 13', 37, 13, 11 11 25, 27, 14, as, ii, 18, 1o.

When an emergency circuit is established around a break in wire 1113 or wire 1214 in the construction shown in Fig. 2, the first signaling operation of any box when it is pulled will be to short circuit the high resistance magnet 15 as switch 24 first closes, so that said test magnet will drop its armature and open its own circuit at the switch 29. But to make such cutting out of the test magnet positive, the connection 20 from armature'of magnet 18 to switch 29 is provided.

While I haveherein described in considerable detail an embodiment of my invention for full disclosure of the various features thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes in the construction and arrangement of parts might be made without departure from the spirit of my invention and within the scope of the appended claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim is: v

1. In a fire alarm. signal system, the combination of a central station source of energy, signal responsive means, a plurality of transmitters located at transmitting stations, test circuit connections extending from the central station to the successive boxes and beyond said boxes extending back to the central station and connected to each other through and including a high resistance test magnet, each said. transmitter embodying a signal wheel, a switch associated therewith comprising three elements, one said element connected with one said wire and the other two elements connected respectively with the portions of the opposite wire leading in apposite directions from the box, said elements arranged for interconnection of all thereof in response to operation of the signal wheel.

2. In a fire alarm signal system, the co1nbination of a central battery, two line wires extending from said battery to suitable transmitting stations and thence returning to the central station, signal-responsive means connected therewith, a high resistance magnet connecting said return wires at the central station, means controlled by the magnet armature controlling the magnet circuit and at each transmitting station a transmitter comprising a signal wheel, and a signal switch associated therewith providing a plurality of members, one connected with one said line wire and two others connected with portions of the other line wire which lead in opposite directions with respect to the box, said elements arranged to be brought into joint electrical connection by the operation of the signal wheel.

3. In a fire alarm signal system, the combination of a central battery, two line wires extending from said battery to suitable transmitting stations and thence returning to the central station, signal-responsive means connected therewith, a high resistance magnet connecting said return wires at the central station, and at each transmitting station a transmitter comprising a signal wheel, and a signal switch associated therewith providing a plurality of members, one connected with one said line wire and two others connected with portions of the other line wire which lead in opposite directions with respect to the box, said elements arranged to be brought into joint electrical connection by the operation of the signal wheel and means at the central station for connecting the return ends of each wire to the outgoing end of the same wire.

4. In a fire alarm signal system the combination of a central station battery, a signal responsive means, line Wires extending from opposite terminals of the battery to the respective signal stations and returning to, and normally connected through, a high resistance test magnet at the central station, means at the central station for connecting the return end of either line wire to its outrections from the box, said switch elements being all interconnectible by the operation of the signal wheel, and a line switch, normally connecting the two said signal switch elements which are connected to a single wire, and means for opening said line switch during the signaling cycle of the box.

5. In a signal system of the character described, the combination of a plurality of open circuit boxes having normally separated signaling pens and signal wheels therefor,'a test circuit including a central station battery, a test magnet and line wires, each said line wire including in series therein an individual one of the signaling pens of each transmitter, whereby the switch parts of said normally open transmitters are maintained under normal test; 7

6. In a signaling system, the combination of a test circuit comprising a central station battery, line wires extending therefrom' through the transmitting stations and returningto the central station, and theretral station, and at the central station interconnected to a high resistance test magnet which reduces the current flow, making it inadequate to operate the other electro-responsive devices, signal transmitters, involving normally open signal switches, bridged across said line wires and adapted to close a signaling circuit excluding said high resistance magnet when operated, and at the central station, annunciator means controlled by the armature of said high resistance magnet, an electro-responsive device in said signal circuit and means controlled by said electro-responsive device automatically to restore said armature to attracted posi tion.

8. In a signaling system the combination of a test circuit comprising a central station battery, line wires extending therefrom through the transmitting stations and returning to the central station and there normally connected through a high resistance test magnet, boxes in said circuit having normally open signaling switches which,

when closed, bridge the outgoing wires and shunt the return wires that are connected to the test magnet and means responsive to box operation to break and to maintain broken the circuit of said test magnet.

9. In a signaling system the combination of a test circuit comprising a central station battery, line wires extending therefrom through the transmitting stations and returning to the central station and there normally connected through a high resistance test magnet, and means responsive to short circuiting of said test magnet to open the circuit connections of said magnet. f

10. In a fire alarm signal system the combination of a test magnet having an armature, signal transmitting and receiving de vices, a test circuit includingsaid test magnet, a signaling circuit excluding said test magnet, electro-responsive means in said signaling circuit, and means controlled by said electro-responsive means for automatically moving the armature of the test magnet to attracted position. I

In testimony whereof I hereunto set my hand in the presence of two witnesses.

JUDSON MoFELL. In the presence of v I p F 0min BAIN,

MARY F. 1 ALLEN.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, lay addressing the Commissio ner of Iatents,

' Washington, D. G. 

